Choosing a Large Bedside Cot

Bedside cots, also referred to as bassinets or co sleeper bedside cot-sleepers are designed to allow parents to rest close to their babies at night without the risk of SIDS. However they are only recommended for use up to 6 months, when your baby will need to move into a cot or a moses basket.

MFM home tester Mehack was impressed that this model has a bassinet that can be lifted off to use around the house and an option to rock manually. It was also simple to put together and came in its own travel bag for easy storage.

Size

Cots are smaller than cots. They are smaller than. Cots can also be transformed into toddler beds. However they are typically intended for children who are the age of three. If you're looking for a wooden cot, there are usually two sizes available - standard and large - both of which convert into a toddler bed or cot bed. Selecting the larger one is a good idea when you want your child to sleep in it until they reach approximately three.

Jasmine is an MFM mom who tried the product at home, said she liked the fact that it was a little bigger than a Moses' basket but still not too big for her baby’s room. She says that it is easy to lift the baby into and out of the cot for evening feedings or to soothe and that the quality is better than other cots she has seen that are cheap and flimsy.

Another home test subject, Emily, likes how the Maxi-Cosi Lora can be used in a variety of ways - it's a lift-off bassinet that you can move around the home, and it's rocking too. It also comes with an option to tilt the reflux upwards and a machine-washable liner that is breathable. It was also shortlisted for the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards in the Best Cot or Moses Basket category. Unlike some International or European cot brands The Lora can be fitted with South African cot mattresses so you don't need to buy another mattress as your baby grows. However, it requires a special bespoke bedding set (60x120cm). Here you can find the ideal mattress for your cot.

Height

When selecting a bedside crib pick one that can be adjusted to a suitable height for you. It also needs to be able of being dropped to the ground so that you can pull your baby towards you during night feedings or to soothe. This feature is particularly useful in the event of recovering from a C-section. The Next2me cot and the Tutti Bambini can be adjusted to the maximum height of 58cm, while the Snuzpod 3 can go up to 63cm, and the Knuma Hutch to 70cm.

Another thing to consider is the height you would like to set for the cot's base to be. Some mothers find it is easier to lift their babies from their standard Moses baskets if the base is at the lowest level, while others prefer a higher height to provide them with more stability. One of our mom testers mentioned that the Joie Roomie Glide was a popular option. It comes with an easy-to-fold side that which you can use to press of the button.

Remember that a bassinet/bedside sleeping device should only be used when your baby can hold his head without assistance, which is typically at around 6 months. This is due to the possibility of being suffocated. You should also be aware that if your child is old enough to turn a bassinet/bedside sleeping system into a cot, they will need to take the sides off once they are able to do so. This will prevent them from getting out or falling out of the bed.

Design

There are a variety of styles of cribs for bedside use, ranging from simple to extravagant. The more expensive options could include features such as a built-in night light, a soothing centre that plays music and sounds and comes with two levels of vibrations to help soothe your baby back to sleep, or even an adjustable base that allows you to easily reach your child for feedings. There are also models that can be transformed into a cot bed or toddler bed (or both) ideal for when your child is ready to transition to a bigger bed.

The Tutti Bambini CoZee Air, for example has won Bronze at the 2021 Mother and Baby Awards for the Best Cot, Moses Basket or Crib category. It has a swivelling bottom that lets you pick up your baby and transfer them to the opposite side of the crib without getting out of bed. This is ideal for mothers who are recovering from Caesareans or those who have to stay in bed for long periods of time. Jasmine is an MFM mother who tested the product at home, stated that it was simple to use and made it easier for her to reach her baby - especially after having a C-section.

Another option is the Chicco Next2me Magic, which won Gold at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards for the category of the Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket and includes a machine-washable liner, reflux incline, and rocking feature. It's bigger than other cribs for bed that we tested, but it folds into its bag for travel bedside crib, making it a small size when not in use.

Leya, MFM mum home tester, also praised the bedside crib's functionality. She said it was designed for both parents and infants. It is easy to move and super-sturdy. She also said that the swivelling bassinet base was fantastic because it let you move it from side to side. One of its sides could be lower to make access easier, especially for new mums recovering from C-sections.

Safety

The most important safety aspect of a large bedside cot is that it can be raised or lowered to enable parents to reach their child when they require to feed them, soothe them, or change their nappy. This is why it's perfect for new mothers who may still recovering from a C-section. You should choose an option that allows you to lower the sides of the bed by pressing a button. This allows you to lift your child without having to get out of the bed. This is essential, especially as your baby grows and becomes more mobile. You should also be careful not to add anything to the crib that could increase the chance of suffocation or injury, such as pillows and duvets, which could cause babies to become overheated.

The NPR of the CPSC NPR includes 24 incidents that are attributed to issues with the product, such as gaps between a bedside sleeper (adult bed) and the bedside co sleeper cot sleeper (12 incidents) and enclosed openings with fabric sides (11) and consumer disassembly (6 incidents).

In its NPR the CPSC considered the possibility of introducing additional requirements to bedside sleepers. For instance they would need to meet the minimum side height requirements for bassinets, or at a minimum, the maximum height requirements for the rails that are lowered. The CPSC determined, however, that these requirements weren't feasible or effective in reducing number of incidents where infants are entrapped by a bedside rail and an adult bed.

The majority of the reported incidents in the NPR included bedside sleepers with multiple uses that can be converted to other modes such as play yards and bassinets. Many commenters suggested that the CPSC add an alternative provision to the proposed rule for bedside sleepers with multiple uses that would permit them to meet the minimum side height requirements for bassinets using a removable attachment. This attachment can be permanently attached or disconnected when the product's not being used as a baby bedside crib bassinet.

The CPSC is reviewing these comments as well as other submissions received in response to the NPR on sleep at night. The Commission will consider these comments when deciding on the final rule which is expected to be released in the month of November 2021.